So, since it is Friday, and we thought we should do something a little fun.  We came across this article from Architectural Digest featuring Celebrity Kitchens.  So if you want to know where Sir Elton John cooks his breakfast, or where Sting makes his midnight snack... here you go!

Celebrity Kitchens

If you are thinking about your next remodeling or kitchen project and you want to find out more about what is possible, click here:

   There is nothing more inviting than a well-designed window seat.  With a little planning, a window seat can be a as functional as it is comfortable. Often times extra storage bins or drawers can be added into the base of the seat, creating a great place for books, pictures, or blankets. This Old House has provided some ideas on for different window seat designs here:

This Old House - Window Seats

If you are thinking of renovating or remodeling home, come examine the possibilities with REEF!

Check out our facebook page for before and after photos of some recent projects. If you are thinking about upgrading that tired old cottage, please contact us today!

http://facebook.com/capecodbuilder

  There is increasing demand in the market place for remodeling and renovations.  We have experienced a substantial increase in requests for these types of projects over the last several months.  Here is an article from Housing Zone.com that summarizes a Wall Street Journal report about the upward trend in the remodeling market.

http://www.housingzone.com/financials/remodeling-showing-signs-recovery

If you have questions about your next remodeling or renovation project, contact our small projects divison by clicking below!

REEF is proud to annouce that it has launched the REEF Small Projects Divison.  The focus will be on remodeling, renovation, maintenance, and home improvement projects.  You may not be ready to add on to your house, but we have found that many of our customers still have a need for smaller projects on a regular basis. So if you are thinking of a kitchen renovation, a new deck, or an exterior facelift, please click below to contact us!

Remodeling magazine has come out with it's annual report on remodeling projects costs and the return on investment.  There is a lot of great information in their report, and we feel the costs are very reflective of the current market conditions.  See their link to the report for the Boston area here:Remodeling Magazine - Boston cost report .

If you are thinking of a remodeling, renovation or new construction project and you want to explore all of the possibilities, click below to ask your question. The answer may surprise you!!

   Now that we are in the throes of winter here in the northeast, we wanted to offer some tips on preventing ice dams.  Ice dams are caused when ice forms at the roof edges and gutter line, and prevents the natural flow of water off a roof.  They can cause thousands of dollars in damage as the water flows into the house in an irregular pattern, showing up over windows, in ceilings and running down the inside of walls. 

Amica and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety offer these tips:

• Make sure the ceiling is airtight, so warm, moist air doesn’t flow into the attic space.
• Increase ceiling and roof insulation to minimize the amount of heat that rises into the attic.
• Use weather-stripping around entryways to the attic.
• Seal around attic ducts, light fixtures, chimneys and fans to prevent heat from melting snow.
• Make sure the attic is well ventilated so that any warm air is replaced with cold outside air.
• Clean debris from gutters and drains to allow for proper drainage.

One of the best ways we have found to prevent ice dams, is to use a self-adhereing ice and water shield at all roof edges, valleys and other critical roof / wall intersections. Although it adds some cost up front, it is insignificant comparted to the damage and hassle invloved in repairing the results of an ice dam.  If you are thinking about remodeling, renovating or building a new home, please contact us to talk about ways of preventing this common problem: CONTACT US  

If you have any other questions concerning your home... visit our Ask Capecodbuilder page and let's see if we can help!

This week we have launched a new feature on our website.... REEF's "Ask Cape Cod Builder" page.  There are a lot of questions out there regarding home construction, renovation, design, permitting and remodeling, so we felt it would be a helpful resource for homeowners in need of information.  So if you have a question about your next project... visit our home page, blog or just click here:

     Since it is a very rainy and windy day here on Cape Cod, we felt it would be appropriate to discuss one of our least favorite subjects... controlling water and leaks. Whether renovating or building a new home, controlling water is probably one of the most important items to consider. Really there are two areas that we focus on here at REEF, first, the building envelope, i.e. roofing, siding, doors and windows etc., and second, surface water, i.e. site drainage, foundation waterproofing etc.   Here are some tips that we have found very helpful over the years

Building Envelope:

1. Building wrap / vapor barrier: Us a high quality building wrap like Typar and ensure it is installe properly at all siding areas.  Leaks coming through siding are very hard to track down, and can cause expensive damage.
2. Windows: Properly installed windows are important, but we have found that properly installed flexible flashing like Vycor or Typar tape are cheap and effective insurance against window leaks.  They provide a virtually impenetrable seal around the windows.
3. Roofing:  Proper installation of felt paper and roof shingles is critical, but more important is proper application of a self-adhering ice and water shield at critical areas.  Roof edges, valleys, cheek walls, and low slope roofs should have an ice and water shield installed (3' wide). Given the cost of this material and the speed with which it can be installed, it is a great way to prevent and probably eliminate long term problems.  
4. Doors: Doors generall become a problem when exposed to wind-driven rain.  The best way we have found to eliminate leaks is a properly installed storm door, especially in coastal areas.

Surface Water / Site Drainage:

1. Assess soil conditions: We are fortunate to have very sandy and well draining soils here on Cape Cod. However, there are areas of the Cape that have substantial amounts of clay.  An engineer or experienced builder / excavator can make a very accurat assessment of the soil conditions.
2. Foundation Waterproofing: Current building codes still only require "dampproofing" on a foundation wall, which is the black tar typically seen on a new foundation. This product, however, does nothing to stop water from penetrating the concrete walls.  If poor soil conditions exist, invest in a true foundation waterproofing such as Mar-flex which can withstand hydrostatic pressure.
3. Foundation Drainage: Every foundation in areas of poor soil conditions should have a perimeter drain at the footing  that runs to a properly-sized drainage structure, an engineer can help in this design.  The downspouts for the house should also be run through a separate drainage system to prevent overloading the perimiter footing drain.
4. Site Grading: This is the most critical part of managing water on any site, and it is all contigent on how and where the house was located on the site. There should be a slope away from the house at all times, and the water that runs away from the house also needs to have somewhere to go.  Recently, the use of low vegetated swales, and retention areas has become increasingly popular, and provides some nice features that can be landscaped to enhance the look of the yard, while still serving an important purpose.

The bottom line is this - if you are building a home or undergoing a renovation project, handling water is a key component, and we have found a team approach is best.  A competent builder, designer, and engineering team can head off a lot of these problems early on.  One thing we have learned over time is that water problems are long term, and expensive to fix, so a little planning and preparation goes a long way.  If you are thinking of building a new home or renovating and have questions feel free to CONTACT US

Top Five Cape Cod Kitchen Renovation Must-Haves

If you have a kitchen remodeling project in your future and are looking to get the most out of your new space..., we have five features you won’t want to exclude from your home renovation. Compiled by a team of expert home remodeling contractors in Raleigh, NC, our Top Five list is sure to send chefs of all abilities into a joyous tizzy thinking about these sizzling kitchen remodeling must-haves.

Must-Have #5 – Undercounter Sink

A kitchen remodeling upgrade that has come to be expected with most home remodeling projects these days.  Undercounter sinks come standard with most natrual stone (granite) and engineered stome (quartz)countertops.  Though integrated sinks in solid surface products like Corian and cultured marble are used often, they don't hold quite the same interest with buyers when it comes to a remodeling upgrade.

Kitchen Remodeling Must-Have #4 – French Door Refrigerator

Appliances always compete with upgraded countertops, as the most appealing part of a kitchen remodeling project, and of course, the refrigerator is the King Pin. As the appliance that will be used the most frequently and by the most people, the refrigerator must be functional and flawless to win your renovation a home remodeling award. A fridge can easily lure or deter potential buyers, and something about seeing those shiny side-by-side handles covering an expansive and easy-to-access chiller seems to call for extra dollars from buyers. A home improvement upgrade that doesn’t even need a kitchen renovation project to be implemented, French Door refrigerators are an easy and must-have upgrade that simply cannot be excluded if you are undertaking a kitchen remodel.

Kitchen Remodeling Must-Have #3 – Custom Tile Backsplash
Whether it’s natural stone, colorful or decorative patterns, your kitchen backsplash is a blank canvas that offers an opportunity for you to flex your artistic muscles and bring color, life and remodeling design to your space. Don’t let the opportunity to introduce interest to your kitchen remodeling project pass you by by overlooking your backsplash; instead, get creative and bring life to the most functional space in the house! Showing attention to this artful area will grab buyers’ interest and is sure to wow your guests…and you won’t get the most out of your kitchen remodeling project from buyers if you exclude an upgraded tile backsplash from your list.
 

 Kitchen Remodeling Must-Have #2 – A Free-Standing Island

Adding a free-standing island not only brings functional work and eating space to your project; it also means you’ve got a roomy kitchen that can accommodate a large fixture, which is a second great reason for potential buyers to love your kitchen. If you’ve ever turned on HGTV and watched shows featuring the best of kitchen remodeling projects, you’re sure to notice the award-winning remodels all include free standing islands (complete with pendant lighting & often a built-in cooktop…see above and note how our list has come full circle). It will offer additional storage and workspace, give the kids a comfortable and casual spot to pull up and enjoy their snacks, and help define your kitchen area if you’re lucky enough to have an open floor plan.

Kitchen Remodeling  Must-Have #1 – Quartz Countertops
Natural Stone Countertops are a popular choice of material when remodeling. Now, the latest and definitely greatest product on the market is engineered Quartz, which incorporates natural material with manmade products and results in the strongest and most durable countertop material on the market. With more variation in a slab than Corian but less than most granite products, engineered Quartz is a clean, contemporary and easy-to-look-at product that is winning over kitchen remodelers across the country. It is far less fragile than granite and won’t chip or fleck, and won’t scratch, stain or scar the way Corian or other solid surface countertops will. It’s practically indestructible and, for hearty cooks  everywhere, is the remodeling material of choice.

--Engaging our Services

adapted from GreyHouse Inc.  http://www.greyhouseinc.com/news/1/24/